Gamma-Ray Bursts
Abstract
The present status of gamma-ray burst research is reviewed, with an emphasis on recent observations of their temporal, spectral, and global distribution properties. The observed sky distribution of weak gamma-ray bursts constrain the allowable geometrical models to sources in either a giant spherical galactic halo or to sources at cosmological distances. Observations of time dilation consistent with the latter have been reported. Extensive searches for a counterpart to gamma-ray bursts in other wavelength regions have thus far proved negative. In spite of the abundance of new observations of gamma-ray bursts, their energy source and emission mechanism remain highly speculative. New, rapid counterpart search efforts and several new space-borne experiments may provide the needed observations to make progress in the field.
- Publication:
-
Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- 1995
- DOI:
- 10.1146/annurev.aa.33.090195.002215
- Bibcode:
- 1995ARA&A..33..415F